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Official  Bulletin 

Issued  ^y  The  Treasui y  Departxnetit 

▼         (I  JAN  15  1938    j 

F-       '    No.  4    X  y 


SRLF 
YRL 


INTRODUCTION. 


Under  an  act  of  Congress  approved  October  C,  1917,  members  of 
the  military  forces  of  the  United  States,  in  addition  to  other  privi- 
leges, are  given  the  right  to  take  out  insurance  with  the  Govern- 
ment. This  act  is  being  administered  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, through  the  Bureau  of  War  Kisk  Insurance  of  the  Treasury 
Department. 

It  is  to  the  advantage  of  everyone  entitled  to  do  so  to  take  out 
this  insurance,  and  since  the  time  within  which  it  may  be  secured 
is  limited  I  desire  to  bring  the  facts  promptly  to  the  attention  of 
the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  Nation,  so  that  they  may  be  advised 
of  their  rights. 

This  pamphlet  is  designed  to  explain  as  clearly  and  briefly  as  pos- 
sible some  of  the  essential  facts  that  should  be  known  by  the  men 
and  women  who  are  applj-ing  for  war  insurance.  The  questions  and 
answers  are  based  on  inquiries  that  have  come  to  the  Ti'easury  from 
soldiers  and  sailors.  It  is  hoped  that  the  material  may  prove  help- 
ful, both  to  oflicers  and  enlisted  men.  If  additional  information  is 
required,  enlisted  men  should  ask  their  officers. 

Tlie  Bureau  of  War  Risk  Insurance,  Treasury  Department,  will 
at  all  times  be  glad  to  answer  any  further  (juestion  relating  to  this 
subject. 

The  necessity  of  prompt  action  with  regard  to  this  insurance  can 
not  be  emphasized  too  strongly.  Persons  who  were  in  the  service 
on  or  before  October  15,  1017,  can  not  apply  for  the  insurance  after 
February  12,  1918.  Those  who  joined  the  service  after  October  15, 
1917,  have  120  days  thereafter  in  which  to  apply. 

It  is  dangerous  to  procrastinate.  The  Government  is  making  a 
liberal,  an  unprecedented  oifer  to  its  fighting  forces;  but  the  offer  is 
open  for  only  a  limited  period.    Now  is  the  time  to  act. 

W.  G.  McAdoo, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Washington,  D.  C,  January  .7, 1918, 

346G9°— 18  (3) 


WHAT  IT  IS. 

1.  Q.  By  whom  is  this  insurance  offered? 

A.  By  the  United  States  Government,  as  authorized  in  an  act  of 
Congress  for  that  purpose  approved  October  6,  1917. 

2.  Q.  What  security  is  back  of  this  contract  of  insurance? 
A.  The  United  States  Government. 

3.  Q.  Is  it  the  only  protection  furnished  by  the  Government  to  its 
soldiers  and  sailors? 

A.  No.  The  Government  has  provided,  in  addition,  compensation 
for  death  or  injuries  or  disease  suffered  in  line  of  duty. 

4-  Q-  The  insurance,  then,  is  in  addition  to  compensation? 

A.  Yes ;  and  they  are  entirely  independent  of  each  other. 

5.  Q.  Does  insurance  interfere  with  service  or  retirement  pay? 

A.  No;  the  right  to  insurance  is  independent  of  the  rigiit  to  serv- 
ice or  retirement  paj'. 

0.  Q.  Am  I  compelled  to  take  insurance? 

A.  No;  3'ou  may  take  it  or  not,  as  you  see  fit.  Tlie  Goxeriimeiit 
recommends  it  but  does  not  com])el  you  to  take  it. 

INSURED— BENEFICIARIES. 

7.  Q.  Who  can  be  ijisured? 

A.  When  engaged  in  active  service  under  the  War  Department  or 
Navy  Department,  any  of  the  following  can  be  insured: 

(1)  Commissioned  officers. 

(2)  Enlisted  men  (meaning  a  person,  male  or  female,  en- 
listed, enrolled,  or  drafted  into  active  service  in  the  mili- 
tary or  naval  forces  of  the  United  States,  including  non- 
connnissioned  and  petty  officers  and  members  of  training 
camps  authorized  by  law). 

(3)  Members  of  the  Army  Nurse  Corps  (female)  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Navy  Nurse  Corps  (female). 

8.  Q.  Who  can  be  named  as  beneficiary? 

A.  Any  one  or  more  of  the  following  may  be  named:  Wife,  hus- 
band, child,  grandchild,  brother,  sister,  adopted  brother,  adopted 
sister,  stepbrother,  stepsister,  parent,  grandparent,  or  step-parent  of 
the  insured,  and  parent,  grandparent,  or  step-parent  of  the  insured's 
wife  or  husband. 

9.  Q.  Can  I  name  as  a  beneficiary  anyone  other  than  those  named 
in  No.  8;  for  instance,  a  trustee  or  guardian  or  the  legal  representa- 
tive of  some  one  in  the  permitted  class  or  my  estate  ? 

A.  No ;  only  those  in  the  permitted  class  may  be  named.  In  case  a 
minor  or  person  mentally  incompetent  is  named  as  beneficiary  pay- 

(4) 


ment  will  be  made  to  a  guardian  or  some  other  person  legally  vested 
with  the  responsibility  or  care  of  the  beneficiary. 

10.  Q.  Can  I  name  as  beneficiary  a  person  who  is  not  a  citizen  of 
the  United  States  or  one  who  resides  in  another  country? 

A.  Yes.  If  such  beneficiary  is  in  the  permitted  class  and  if  he 
be  resident  in  enemy  territory,  payment  will  be  subject  to  the  pro- 
visions of  tlie  "  Trading  with  the  Enemy  Act." 

11.  Q.  Can  the  beneficiary  be  changed? 

A.  Yes;  within  the  permitted  class,  at  any  time  in  writing  and 
subject  to  the  regulations  of  the  Bureau  of  War-Eisk  Insurance. 
(See  "Final,"  p.  0.) 

BENEFITS. 

12.  Q.  What  benefits  does  this  insurance  give  to  the  insured  ( 

A.  $5.75  per  month  for  each  $1,000  of  insurance  payable  in  the 
event  of  total  and  permanent  disability  as  long  as  the  insured  lives 
and  is  so  disabled. 

18.  Q.  What  benefits  does  it  give  to  my  beneficiary? 

A.  In  case  of  your  death  each  $1,000  oi  insurance  will  p;iy  to  the 
beneficiary  $5.75  per  month  for  240  months,  less  any  payjuents  made 
to  the  insured  for  total  and  permanent  disability. 

14.  Q.  Can  i  have  the  benefits  paid  in  a  lump  sum? 

,A.  No;  benefits  can  only  be  paid  in  240  monthl.v  installments. 

15.  Q.  Does  it  i)ay  for  death  or  total  and  permanent  disability' 
from  illness  a.s  well  as  injui'v  ( 

A.  Yes. 

10.  Q.  Must  the  injury  or  ilhiess  l)e  sufiered  while  in  the  line  of 
duty  ? 

A.  No:  insurance  protection  is  not  limited  by  any  provision  as 
to  line  of  duty.  This  is  in  direct  contrast  to  the  rights  as  to  com- 
pensation.    (See  questions  3  and  4.) 

17.  Q.  iMust  the  injury  or  illness  be  suffered  while  in  the  service? 
A.  No:  if  you  continue  to  pay  ])remiums  you  are  protected,  even 

though  you  may  leave  the  service. 

18.  Q.  If  payment  of  i)remium  is  not  made  on  the  exact  day  when 
it  falls  due  will  insurance  lapse? 

A.  No;  it  is  subject  to  31  days"  grace,  during  which  time  it  will 
remain  in  full  force  and  effect. 

19.  Q.  If  insurance  lapses,  can  I  have  it  revived  or  reinstated  ? 

A.  Yes;  at  an}^  time  within  six  months  after  lapse,  on  compliance 
with  the  terms  and  conditions  as  may  be  specified  in  the  regulations 
of  the  Bureau. 

20.  Q.  If  I  leave  the  service,  do  I  lose  my  insurance  ? 

A. No;  you  may  carry  insurance  with  the  Government  even  though 
you  leave  the  service,  but  in  order  to  do  so  you  must  change  to 
another  form  within  five  years  after  the  close  of  the  war. 


THE  APPLICATION. 

21.  Q.  What  must  I  do  to  become  insured? 

A.  Make  Avritten  aplication,  stating  your  name,  military  organiza- 
tion, date  of  last  entry  into  active  service,  age,  the  amount  of  insur- 
ance desired,  and  if  you  wish  to  name  persons  to  whom  you  wish  it 
paid  in  the  event  of  death,  give  the  name  of  such  beneficiaries,  using 
their  given  name.  Example:  Jane  Elizabeth  Smith,  do  not  write 
it  Mrs.  John  Smith,  or  Mrs.  J.  E.  Smith. 

22.  Q.  Will  application  blanks  be  furnished? 

A.  Yes.  They  may  l^e  procured  from  the  Bureau  of  War-E-isk 
Insurance,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  from  your  commanding  officer ;  or  the 
insurance  officer  of  your  organization. 

23.  Q.  Must  I  name  a  beneficiary  ? 

A.  You  need  not  name  a  beneficiary.  The  law  provides  that  where 
no  beneficiary  is  named  the  insm-ance,  in  case  of  death,  will  be  paid 
to  those  in  the  permitted  class  who  would  be  entitled  to  your  personal 
property  should  you  die  without  making  a  will. 

24.  Q.  If  I  do  not  name  a  beneficiary  now  may  I  do  so  later? 

A.  Yes;  at  any  time  by  written  designation  sent  to  the  Bureau  of 
War-Risk  Insurance,  Washington,  D.  C. 

THE  PREMIUM. 

25.  Q.  What  Avill  it  cost  ? 

A.  See  table  of  rates  on  last  page. 

2G.  Q.  How  much  can  I  take? 

A.  Any  amount  from  $1,000  to  $10,000  (in  multiples  of  $500). 

27.  Q.  For  how  long  will  the  privilege  of  taking  insurance  last? 
A.  For  only  120  days  after  enlistment  or  entry  into  active  service 

unless  you  were  in  the  service  on  October  15,  1917,  in  which  event 
5'ou  may  apply  at  any  time  within  120  days  from  that  date.  The 
last  day  of  which  120  days  is  February  12,  1918. 

28.  Q.  If  I  take  less  than  $10,000,  can  I  increase  it  after  my  120 
days  have  expired? 

A.  No;  you  can  only  apply  within  the  120  days  and  can  not  in- 
crease your  insurance  after  that  time.  Up  to  that  time  you  may 
increase  it  to  not  more  than  $10,000. 

29.  Q.  If  I  take  $10,000  or  any  other  amount,  can  I  drop  part  of 
it  at  any  time? 

A.  Yes. 

30.  Q.  How  can  my  premiums  be  paid  ? 

A.  By  deduction  from  your  pay,  by  deduction  from  any  deposit 
with  the  Government,  or  paid  direct  to  the  bureau  by  yourself  or 
some  one  for  you.  To  avoid  lapse  it  is  recommended  that  deduction 
from  pay  be  authorized. 


31.  Q.  For  how  long  must  my  premium  be  paid  in  advance? 
A.  You  may  pay  monthly  or  for  any  longer  period. 

32.  Q.  Will  my  jjremium  always  be  the  same? 

A.  No;  it  increases  annually  in  accordance  with  premium  table 
(question  25,  see  last  page)  until  you  change  to  another  form  after 
the  war,  when  the  premium  will  depend  upon  the  plan  then  ciiosen. 

THE  PLAN  OF  INSURANCE. 

33.  Q.  AVhat  form  of  insurance  is  it? 

A.  Annual  renewable  term  insurance  for  the  period  of  the  war. 
Change  to  the  usual  forms  of  insurance  on  some  other  plan  may  be 
made  within  five  5^ears  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

34.  Q.  Can  I  carry  my  insurance  after  the  war? 

A.  Yes,  in  its  present  form  for  a  period  of  live  years,  but  within 
such  five  years  you  nmst  change  it  to  another  form  which  can  be 
done  without  regard  to  your  then  physical  condition.  Xo  medical 
examination  will  be  required  for  the  change. 

35.  Q.  Will  the  ]:)ermanent  insurance  after  th."  wiw  continue  with 
the  (iovernment  ? 

A.  Yes. 

36.  Q.  How  are  the  expenses  of  handling  the  insurance  paid? 
A.  By  the  Government. 

37.  Q.  Will  the  cost  to  me  be  increased  by  the  losses  due  to  war? 
A.  No.     Any  losses  in  excess  of  premiums  received  will  he  borne 

by  the  Governmeni. 

38.  Q.  What  form  of  insurance  can  I  change  to  after  the  war? 
A.  Usual   forms,   including   (>i-(bnary   life.  20-payment    life,   and 

endowment. 

39.  Q.  Has  this  insurance  during  the  war  a  cash  value  or  loan 
value? 

A.  No. 

40.  Q.  Will  permanent  forms  of  insurance  after  the  war  have  cash 

and  loan  values? 
A.  Yes. 

NOT  ASSIGNABLE. 

41.  Q.  Can  people  to  whom  I  ov:e  money  collect  such  debts  out  of 
my  insurance? 

A.  No.  This  insurance  can  not  be  attached,  assigned,  or  other- 
wise taken  by  creditors. 

42.  Q.  Does  the  Government  provide  automatic  insurance? 

A.  Yes;  for  those  who  may  be  totally  and  permanently  disabled  or 
who  may  die  without  having  applied  before  February  12,  1918,  the 
Government  has  provided  insurance  in  amount  of  $25  per  month  pay- 
able to  a  wife,  during  her  widowliood;  child,  or  widowed  mother. 


8 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  insurance  is  payable  to  a  more 
restricted  class  and does  not  last  beyond  February  12,  1918,  and  that 
on  leaving  the  service  the  right  to  apply  ceases.  Automatic  insur- 
ance should  not  therefore  induce  you  to  delay  making  application. 

ON  LEAVING  THE  SERVICE. 

43.  Q.  If  while  in  the  service  I  become  insured,  do  I  lo.se  my 
insurance  when  I  leave  the  service? 

A.  No;  3'ou  may  carry  the  insurance  even  though  you  leave  the 
•ervice,  but  you  must  change  it  to  another  form  witliin  five  years 
after  the  close  of  the  war  in  order  to  continue  it  beyond  that  time. 

FINAL. 

44.  Q.  I  am  single  and  have  no  dependents;  why  should  I  take 
insurance  ? 

A.  (1)  Because  the  insurance  is  payable  to  you  in  monthly  in- 
stallments of  $5.75  for  each  $1,000  of  insurance  should  you  become 
totally  and  permanently  disabled. 

(2)  You  may  at  some  later  date  acquire  by  marriage  a  dependent 
whom  you  v;ill  be  glad  to  make  your  beneficiary. 

(3)  Then,  too,  you  may  not  be  able  to  pass  an  examination  for  life 
insurance  in  a  regular  company  (see  answer  to  No.  34). 

MONTHLY  PREMIUMS  FOR  EACH  $1,000  OF  INSURANCE. 

[Knch  ?1,000  of  insurance  is  payable  in  installments  of  So. 75  per  month  for  240  months:  but  if  the  insured 
is  totallvand  perraancntlv  disaliled  and  lives  longer  then  240  months,  the  payments  will  be  continued  as 
long  as  he  lives  and  is  so  disabled.] 


Age. 

Monthly 
premium. 

Age. 

Monthly 
premium. 

13                                               

$0.63 
.63 
.63 
.64 
.64 
.64 
.65 
.65 
.65 
.66 
.66 
.67 
.67 
.68 
.69 
.69 
.70 
.71 
.72 
.73 
.74 
.75 
.76 
.77 
.79 
.81 

41 

SO.  82 

li;                                     

42 

.84 

17                                            

43 

■  87 

IS                                    

44 

.89 

19                                        

45 

.92 

20                      

45 

.95 

21                                         

47 

.99 

22                      

4S 

1.03 

2:}                              

49 

1.08 

24                   

50 

1.14 

25                              

51 

1.20 

26 

52 

1.27 

27                       

53 

1.35 

9g                                       

54 

1.44 

29                   

55 

1.53 

30                          .          

56 

1.64 

31                   

57 

1.76 

32                      

58 

1.90 

33               

59 

2. 05 

34                       

60 

2.21 

25 

01 

2.40 

3G             ; 

62 

2.00 

37                       

63 

2.82 

38            

64 

3.07 

39                   

65 

3.35 

40            

WASIIIXGTO.N  :  GOVER.VMIC.NT  PUIN'TING  OFFICE  :  1918 


